The writing process

DEFINITION :

A series of organized/ordered steps followed in order to produce a good and an

organized piece of writing (paragraph, text, essay or article). The writing process goes
through 5 stages/phases.

1. PRE-WRITING STAGE /PHASE:

 First, find a topic (an idea) to write about.
 Next, build on the topic (the main idea) by collecting data relating to the topic.
Collecting data can be done by using different methods/techniques/strategies
which are the following:
 Brainstorming: a process for generating and coming up with as many creative
ideas as possible around a specific area of interest without worrying about the
feasibility/possibility of ideas. The latter ones are maybe going to be
spontaneous and informal, however; they are not going to be criticized during
the process of brainstorming.
 Mind mapping: a process of making a map of ideas and a visual way to draw
ideas. It involves/includes clustering and outlining.
 - Clustering: a technique/method/strategy used for grouping a particular set
of data (ideas) based on/according to their characteristics, similarities and
differences.

1st developing 1st 2nd developing

supporting
Sentence Sentence
sentence

Topic
sentence
1st developing 1st developing
Sentence 3rd 2nd Sentence
supporting supporting
sentence sentence
2nd developing
2nd developing
Sentence
Sentence

Diagram number 1
- Outlining: a technique/method/strategy used for listing a particular set of
data (ideas) based on/according to their characteristics, similarities and
differences.

1 Topic sentence

2 Details:

2.1 Supporting sentences

2.2 Developing sentences

3 Concluding sentence

Diagram number 2
2. DRAFTING/WRITING STAGE/PHASE:
 The ideas collected/gathered (key-words and phrases) are going to be
turned into sentences which in their turn are going to be combined to form a
piece of writing (paragraph, text, essay or article).
 This process is done regardless of grammar mistakes/errors and the wrong
word-choice.
3. REVIEWING/REVISING STAGE/PHASE:
 The piece of writing should...
 Be organized/put in order by dividing it into 3 parts:
-1 part: Topic sentence that involves/contains the topic and the controlling
st

idea.
-2nd part: Details

-3rd part: concluding sentence

 Show unity (unified). The ideas included should be related to/have
relation with the topic (relevant details) and should not deviate from it
(shift in focus).
 Shows coherence (coherent). The ideas flow smoothly from one
sentence to another (supporting and developing sentences), are all
logically following each other and are linked/connected to one
another (not isolated). Coherence can be achieved by using
transitional signals and consistent pronouns, in addition to this; the
repetition of key words and ideas.
 Be developed. The ideas should be supported with examples and
illustrations (subordinate details).
4. EDITING STAGE/PHASE:
 The piece of writing is going to be prepared for publishing/sharing by
checking and improving its accuracy/correctness which is to proofread, in
other words; reread in order to find mistakes/errors, especially grammar
errors, and correct them(mark errors to be corrected)

5. SHARING/PUBLISHING STAGE/PHASE:
 The piece of writing is going to be issued of publishing officially.
 Formal and informal writing
Here's a list of some of the main differences between informal and formal writing:

Informal Formal
May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, Avoid using colloquial words/expressions
guy, awesome, a lot, etc.). (substitute with children, man/boy,
wonderful, many, etc.)
May use contractions (can’t, won’t, Avoid contractions (write out full words –
shouldn’t, etc.). cannot, will not, should not, etc.).
May use first, second, or third person. Write in third person (except in business
letters where first person may be used).
May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by Avoid clichés (use many, was absent, etc.)
absence, etc.)
May address readers using second person Avoid addressing readers using second
pronouns (you, your, etc). person pronouns (use one, one’s, the
reader, the reader’s, etc.)
May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc) Avoid using abbreviated words (use full
versions – like photograph, television, etc.)
May use imperative voice (e.g. Avoid imperative voice (use Please refer
Remember….) to.….)
May use active voice (e.g. We have Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed
noticed that…..) that….)
May use short and simple sentences. Longer and more complex sentences are
preferred (short simple sentences reflects
poorly on the writer).
Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged State your points confidently and offer your
and empathy shown to the reader. argument firm support.
 Types of Writing Styles/types of paragraphs:

1. Descriptive paragraph: it describes and object/thing, animal, place or a person.

1.1. Characteristics:
- Using adjectives, linking verbs, adverbs, figures of speech and imagery

1.2. Structure of descriptive paragraph and its content:

structure content
Topic sentence (optional in some cases). An introduction to the thing, place or
person to be described.
Details: Observable detailed information that
Supporting sentences/coordinate appeal to the five senses: sight, taste,
Details. touch, smell, and hearing (sensory details).
Developing sentences/subordinate details.
Concluding sentence (optional in some A short summary of what was described.
cases).

1.3. Types of description:

- Objective description: words are “neutral” or “Denotative” because they
aren’t likely to carry any emotional charge. They convey information but not
much feeling about that information. They are neutral because they don’t
make you feel positive or negative about the subject they describe.
Omitting any attention to the writer, especially with regards to the writer's
feelings. You describe the subject in a straightforward and literal way,
without revealing your attitude or feelings. Reporters, as well as technical
and scientific writers, specialize in objective description. The language is
straightforward, precise, and factual. Such denotative language consists of
neutral dictionary meanings.
- Subjective description: words are positively or negatively charged, or
“connotative,” in that they do convey a good or bad impression of their
subject. These words convey attitude, feeling, perspective, mood—a positive
or negative charge. Includes attention to both the subject described and
the writer's reactions (internal, personal) to that subject. You convey a highly
personal view of your subject and seek to elicit a strong emotional response
from your readers.

 Note that Sometimes a single sentence contains both objective and

subjective elements.

2. Definition paragraph: it explains (gives a definition at the beginning) a term, a

concept or a subject.
 2.1. Structure of definition paragraph and its content:

structure content
Topic sentence. It gives a simple definition which has three
parts: the item (term, concept or subject),
the category and the
feature/characteristic(s).
Details: Give more information through the use of
Supporting sentences/coordinate examples, description or explanation.
Details.
Developing sentences/subordinate details.
Concluding sentence (usually
unnecessary).

2.2. Characteristics of a definition grammar:

- The use of transitional words and phrases for:

For writing a definition Is defined as, is a kind of

For giving examples
For providing a description
For beginning an explanation
for example, for instance, an illustration of this,
another example
in the foreground, in the middle distance, in the
background, in the far distance, next to, near,
up, down, between, above, below, on top of,
beneath, left, right, centre, front, back, middle,
in the interior, on the exterior, on the inside, on
the outside, surrounding
at first, initially, to begin with, in the beginning,
first of all, the first step

For continuing an explanation while, as, at the same time, the next step, after,
next, then, where, in general, other
For ending an explanation finally, eventually, at last, the final/last step

3. Cause-effect paragraph: It discusses the reasons/causes/motives/stimulators for—

and the consequences of an action, event, phenomena or decision.
3.1. Structure of cause-effect paragraph and its content:

structure
Topic sentence (usually unnecessary).
Supporting sentences/coordinate
Details.
Developing sentences/subordinate details.
Concluding sentence (usually
unnecessary).
content
-the cause to effect pattern:
Cause+effect1, effect2, effect3
-the effect to cause pattern:
Effect+cause1, cause2, cause3
-cause and effect pattern :
Cause+effect, cause+effect, cause+effect
 3.2. Characteristics/features of a cause-effect paragraph:

- The use of transitional words and phrases for:

To Show Causes/reasons/motives -The first cause (second, third), the first

To show consequences/results/effects
reason (second, third), yet another factor,
because, is caused by, results from, is the
cause/reason of.
-Leads to, engenders, generates, brings
forth, brings about, creates, stimulates and
gives rise/birth to.
-One important effect, another result, a
third outcome, as a result, consequently,
then, next, therefore, thus, so.

4. Argumentative/persuasive/argument paragraph: it presents a point of view and

provides evidence (argument) for that point of view in order to convince.

4.1. Structure of argumentative paragraph and its content:

structure content
Topic sentence claim the claim identifies the idea/point of
view/opinion/view/belief that is being
argued for or against
Details: body of the paragraph:
Supporting sentences/coordinate -The warrant supports/backs up the claim
Details. and tells why it was made.
Developing sentences/subordinate details. -support/evidence provides arguments,
facts, assertions, examples, logical
deductions, illustrations and statistics
-the analysis states the concluding
observations and synthesis, besides; it
emphasizes the importance of the data
gathered/collected.
Concluding sentence The summary statement/sentence restates
what has already been argued for or
against (a reformulation of the main
idea/topic)